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March 23, 2007

"Closing Is In Jonathan's Heart ... I Think He's Finally Happy"

I just got back from dinner and the game today so I couldn't post. I've known for days that this was happening but couldn't say anything. First of all, this move is 100% what Jonathan wants, it has nothing to do with want anyone else wants. We have had many discussions over the last couple of days and I can say closing is in Jonathan's heart, he thrives on the pressure and competition. Chach is completely right on with his shoulder analysis. His shoulder was never injured, his MRi in 2003 was exactly the same as his MRI in 2006, the muscles were tired and couldn't hold his shoulder joint together. Jonathan is comfortable as the closer he wants the game to be on his "shoulders". He has not been able to concentrate, sleep or enjoy playing without thriving in the postition of closer. I have always said if the day comes when you are no longer having fun playing it's time to get out. He loves closing and I'm just glad he doing what he loves.

Jonathan's delivery is exactly the same as last year. I go through every pitch motion by motion when he pitches and I can say watching him today it was the same, now I will say I saw his demeanor in the 8th and 9th, the stare, the look, the confidence. I hadn't seen it thus far in ST. I think he's finally happy.

Jonathan is not concerned at all about his health because he knows what his offseaon strenthening did to help his shoulder, he said he's never felt stronger.

The short answer is I fell out of love. The Yankee organization and the experience at the Stadium drove me away. If it weren't for the 2003 Red Sox - and my constant exposure to them - I probably would have given up on baseball.

But as the Yankees were draining out of my heart, the 2003 Sox were creeping in. I couldn't even admit it to myself at first, it was so shocking. That's why it was like falling in love: I had no choice.

The team was so much fun, they were irresistible, and I got hooked. Just in time to have my heart broken, which seems only right.

I cannot imagine going through this from the perspective of a long relationship on different sides of the divide. I'm intrigued thinking about how it must have been in the house/apartment during that 2003 and 2004 season (when did you confess your newfound baseball feelings to mr. redsock, if you don't mind me asking?).

You and I approached the Red Sox in a similar manner, l-girl, though from much different origin points. A roommate in college was a BIG Yankees fan and he rekindled in me a love of baseball I hadn't remembered I had (I used to love watching the Rangers, especially Nolan Ryan, when I was a boy, and I read a crapload of Matt Christopher books). So I sort of nominally rooted for the Yankees, though without any significant emotional investment, from college on.

Until the 2003 postseason and specifically after the Red Sox came back from 2-0 to beat Oakland in the ALDS. I thought that was their year, I bet a friend they would beat the Yankees, and (to cut a long story short) I felt heartbreak (petty compared to a long-time fan's, of course) rather than the loss of a few bucks when Pedro gave up those hits in the 8th. I knew I was a Red Sox fan then.

My s.o. of about a year and a half was a nominal Yankees fan as well (big part of her Sept. 11th experience was that 2001 WS and the comeback wins at Yankee Stadium...I didn't live here then--I was still in college). But I've got her steered right now. She bought us tickets for my birthday to Fenway last year...tickets to Papi's walkoff game against Texas (two runs down, two strikes, two men on, with a frightening foul tip right before the inevitable walk-off)--unfucking real.

Zenslinger, it was an amazing journey! I was a really serious Yankees fan. Put that way, it makes sense why I couldn't tell anyone for a long time.

I cannot imagine going through this from the perspective of a long relationship on different sides of the divide.

Looking back on it, I now realize that it was made easier b/c neither team was in serious contention during our early years together. Even so, when we first went to games together at Yankee Stadium, we'd come home not speaking to each other, and I'd be in tears.

We finally said, we have to learn how to do this. We both love the game, and neither of us has had anyone to share that with before, let's appreciate that, respect each other's fan-ness, and put the other stuff aside.

For most of those years, the Yankees sucked - so it was easy!

Then when they came back in 1995, 96, Allan was working on his book, and more interested in 1918 than in the present day. (I'll leave it at that. He might want to say more.) In 1996, IIRC, Allan was happy for me. (Not knowing the future...)

Honestly, I don't know what we would have done in 2003 and 2004, had I still been a Yankees fan. It would have been very difficult. I don't think we could have watched the games together.

I'm intrigued thinking about how it must have been in the house/apartment during that 2003 and 2004 season (when did you confess your newfound baseball feelings to mr. redsock, if you don't mind me asking?).

Not at all. Late summer 2003. Possibly even September 2003.

On Allan's 40th birthday - October 17, 2003 - that day - we were both incredibly psyched for the game that night, and openly rooting for the same team.

* * * *

Devine, thanks for sharing that about your own evolution. I describe my heartbreak the same way. Petty compared to the lifers, but genuine.

The 2001 WS was part of my 9/11 experience, too. I was at Game 4. It's partly why I can never love Curt Schilling.

I also relate to your "rekindled in me a love of baseball I hadn't remembered I had". Meeting Mr R Sock did that for me, and of course deepened my appreciation for the game. It's a great feeling. It's like coming home.

I do with a passion, I have close realtionships with some of their fans, My best man is a yankee fan.......some people I consider great friends are yankee fans.....But I hate the Yankees and They hate the Red Sox...Its what makes our relationships tick.

L-girl said:The 2001 WS was part of my 9/11 experience, too. I was at Game 4. It's partly why I can never love Curt Schilling.

Partly the reason........

Curt is a Red Sox and by the laws of the nation , I believe you most love him....

I quess what I am saying is i really hate the yankees....

I believe that is why Red Sox fans always buy their children, before they are even born, Red Sox gear..

It's a birth right .......or at least we make it one.....I can tell you it is the only thing I force upon my children.They have to be Red Sox fans.......It's sound crazy, I know, but so is being a Sox fan....